Japanese baseball allows in fans for the first time, Seibu Lions v Chiba Lotte Marines

About 5,000 baseball fans enjoyed watching baseball on Friday at ZOZO Marine Stadium in Chiba, outskirt of Tokyo,  for the first time after the season opened on June 19.

Wearing masks and team's uniform, Chiba Lotte Marines aficionado gathered at the stadium, but they had to seal up their highly organized cheering style by following the team's guideline to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

Chiba Lotte Marines fans Mai Kojima said "It is a bit sad that we can cheer like what we usually do, but I'm sure that it will get back to normal someday. I guess we'll just have to be patient for now. But I will enjoy the game today."

Both Japanese baseball and the soccer J.League had been playing their games without fans in the stadiums.

Japan has been largely successful controlling COVID-19 with about 1,000 deaths attributed to the coronavirus pandemic. The United States, with a population about 2 1/2 times larger, has recorded more than 130,000 deaths.

However, Tokyo has reported more than 200 new cases in each of the last several days. That is the highest number in the Japanese capital since April.